I'm not sure how I ever ended up on the same page as Sonia Poulton one time because on almost every subject we hold polemically opposite views. I have no problem with people being whatever gender they choose to be, it matters not to me, I actually have a soft spot for those with the courage to be themselves, even if it does mean stepping outside of our traditional codes and conventions. Most people, myself included, though less so these days, present ourselves as the world expects us to.
To be honest I have not paid an awful lot of attention to what Sonia has to say about the trans community, the men especially, because I look on it as, and I hate to use this phrase; 'fearmongering'. For myself, I cannot see how someone's sexual identity is in any way threatening to anybody. I have never been scared to use a public bathroom and I would question is there even one recorded instance of a trans man accosting or assaulting a woman in public bathroom or store changing rooms? I remember once bumping into a divinely glamorous Queen in a powder room, well it was more of a boudoir, did I feel threatened, not at all, I remember having a delightful conversation about lipstick. I simply cannot understand why anyone would want to attack the way others choose to live their lives, what does it matter to them? it makes no sense to me.
Next the craziness surrounding Covid-19, the anti-masking, anti-vaxxing and lunatic conspiracy theories she is promoting regarding protecting ourselves. She and others have forced our, albeit incompetent, government to drop all the defences we had against this virulent disease. No masks, no distancing, no testing, no numbers, though we do know 4.5 million were infected last week and 368 people died. That is, we are right back to the days when Covid was at it's peak - and no-one cares. In 1918, the 'Spanish Flu' came in waves, then it mutated and killed 50 million worldwide. Naturally, that is a risk Boris Johnson and his mates are willing to take, in their pursuit of even more riches, they have literally made billions out of the pandemic thus far. Those on the front line, the NHS, the delivery drivers, the food industry, all the people who kept this country ticking over, abandoned as the virus rages. We are now in the place Sonia campaigned for. No more protections even if the virus does mutate into something more deadly. We haven't gained more freedom, we have lost it. Because those using common sense will continue to practice social distancing, masking, handwashing, and if advised, more boosters. Those still taking advice from Boris et al need their heads testing.
It angers me that Sonia is using her considerable talents to take on causes that are not only wrong but dangerous. I am no supporter of this government, but the half arsed effort they put into the pandemic in the beginning was something at least. Compared to the rest of the world however, the abysmal UK covid stats were among the worst. The big question I would ask Sonia? How can she look at the dischevilled oaf that is Boris Johnson and the demonic coke heads that surround him and imagine him putting together some kind of Dr. Evil plot? The most inept government we have ever had taking over our minds, lives, etc, now that is laugh out loud funny.
Thus far, I can look on Sonia's views with a raised eyebrow and a few ffs, but but her latest comment on the invasion of Ukraine offends me on every level. How on earth has she bought into Russian Propaganda? We live in a time where news is instant and brought to us by people who are 'on the spot', both the press and the public. We have factual news from every angle. It is a cruel and wicked lie to suggest that footage of mass graves and bodies in the streets are staged. That kind of cruel propaganda is expected from Putin but not from a British journalist. Since the Russian invasion, I have followed a number of individuals, Ukrainians, who are on the front line, literally posting from a war zone. How they are surviving on little rations and the devastating sights they are seeing. The horror is very real to them as Sonia would know if she did a little more research. I am also following Russians, escaping Russia, or reporting how the sanctions and the actions of the West are affecting real Russian citizens.
Putin is a monster. He is sending mobile crematoriums along with his tanks, to cover up the evidence of his war crimes. No-one thought Hitler could be topped, but Putin has found a way. This is a war where we hear the voices of the real people who are on the ground, Ukrainian and Russian. There is no excuse for any connected Western journalist to promote clearly fake Russian propaganda. For me it brings to mind Lord Haw Haw's 'Germany Calling', and that's a road no sane journalist wants to go down.
Sonia asks if any other President has spoken at the Grammys in wartime, a silly question in my opinion. The world has moved on considerably since the Grammys began (1959), it is possible now to transmit information globally, in real time, As a child of the 60's, WWII was still fresh in people's memories, especially the horrors of Hitler's death camps and crematoriums. The top phrase at that time was 'this must never happen again'.
We now have the technology and the will to record and report war crimes to a wide audience. Yes, it was rare, in fact a first, for a President to speak at the Grammys, but President Zelensky was invited because he is a hero. He is fighting for freedom and democracy, beliefs I would have thought were in line with Sonia's. It is right that the world should be applauding him and helping him. There is no moral dilemma here. History is littered with heroes and villains, and the heroes usually take unexpected and unconventional ways to win their battles. This is a war of propaganda as much as it is a bloody battlefield and Putin is pretty good at brainwashing, he has had over two decades to practice. Giving Zelensky a spot on the Grammys is one of the best weapons the West could have given him, without kicking off WWIII. He spoke directly to the pop stars and musicians who are worshipped by young Russian people. How can Putin top that?
I have to admit that I am struggling at the moment to understand why Sonia and a handful of people on the Left that I used to admire, are taking the 'fake news' path on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is there something I am not seeing?
